The Japanese idealist behind the last deradicalization NGO in Somalia

Yosuke Nagai, a Japanese humanitarian and founder of the NGO Accept International, continues to run the only active foreign-funded deradicalization program in Somalia despite growing challenges. Based in Mogadishu, Nagai’s organization works directly with former members of Al-Shabaab, offering them vocational training, education, and psychological support. His work has brought together over 1,700 imprisoned fighters and 250 defectors, making it one of the largest such initiatives in the region. As Western donors scale back their involvement in Somalia, Nagai’s program stands as the last major effort to reintegrate former extremists into civilian life. Nagai began his journey in 2011 while still a teenager, setting up a program for Somali students focused on addressing the root causes of the country’s violent insurgency. By 2013, he had shifted focus to rehabilitating members of local gangs, leading to a partnership with the Somali government in 2016 to formally reintegrate former Al-Shabaab members. Despite warnings from his teachers that the work would be “super dangerous,” Nagai remained committed to his mission, believing that providing alternatives to extremism could transform individuals into “agents of peace.” Accept International operates with a team of 17 staff based in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, and another 15 at a rehabilitation center in Dhusamareb, the capital of Galmudug state. The program includes counseling, Islamic education, and vocational training, targeting both prisoners and defectors. Nagai emphasizes empowerment over deradicalization, arguing that equipping former fighters with practical skills and a sense of purpose is essential to preventing their return to violence. Success stories abound within the program. One notable case is Nur Ali, a 32-year-old former insurgent who now oversees the NGO’s prison programs. Captured at age 17 after joining Al-Shabaab following the death of his brother, Ali spent 15 years in prison before meeting Nagai. Inspired by a religious leader who encouraged forgiveness, Ali has since dedicated himself to helping others avoid the path he once walked. He now serves as a role model for younger ex-combatants seeking to rebuild their lives. Despite these achievements, the program faces significant obstacles. Al-Shabaab maintains a strong presence in central Somalia, making it difficult for former members to fully disengage from the group. Nagai recounted the story of a 21-year-old participant who initially showed promise but ultimately returned to Al-Shabaab under family pressure. This highlights the complex dynamics that continue to pull some individuals back into extremism, even after they have begun the process of reintegration. The broader context of deradicalization in Somalia has changed dramatically in recent years. Once a focal point during the global War on Terror, the practice has fallen out of favor among donors due to a lack of trust in the Somali government’s capacity to manage reintegration efforts effectively. The United Nations supported such programs from 2013 until 2024, but ceased funding in 2025, citing insufficient transparency and accountability. A final UN report noted that this lack of reliable information eroded donor confidence in the effectiveness of reintegration initiatives. The United States, which has historically been the largest donor to Somalia, did not comment on whether it had previously funded similar programs. Meanwhile, the Somali government itself relies heavily on religious scholars to counter Al-Shabaab’s influence in areas it recaptures, though its reintegration programs remain chronically underfunded. Experts like Martine Zeuthen, who studied the issue for the Royal United Services Institute, argue that without sustained investment, the long-term impact of such efforts remains uncertain. As the political landscape in Somalia continues to shift, Nagai remains undeterred. His work underscores the ongoing struggle to balance security concerns with the need for reconciliation and rebuilding in a nation still grappling with the legacy of conflict. With no immediate plans to scale back operations, Accept International persists in its mission, striving to offer hope and opportunity to those willing to leave behind the past.